Steel Bender Brewyard

 

New Mexico is a state that like many others loves their craft beer, and the variety of places to go continues to grow. Not only do a lot of these breweries produce a variety of high-quality beers, but also high-quality foods. One of the first places I discovered in Albuquerque was actually in Los Ranchos where if you blink you will drive right by it. But keep an eye out because it is totally worth the visit for a bite or pint. Of course, the I am talking about Steel Bender Brewyard, a brewery that embodies a strong sense of the community around them.

When you first drive up you find yourself in disbelief of how large this building is. With the massive branded silo that lets you know you found the right place. The inside is just as big with its large bar, and ample seating, but the place to sit is on its patio. With small tables for intimate groups, or large picnic tables for big groups the patio is far enough back that the traffic isn’t a bother, and guests can relax with a pint while taking in the Sandia scenery. But of course, that environment is one thing, when the food and drink are also worth checking out.

So, what to eat? First is the giant pretzel. As if a giant soft pretzel wasn’t enough, wait until you dip it in the green chile queso or the spicy beer mustard. Each sauce adds a great flavor to an already great pretzel. Also worth trying are the nachos. Not only is it a massive serving or chips, cheese, and beans but the sauces that come on the side are all outstanding and full of flavor. The house salsa, red chile, and green chile add so much flavor and spice. Now to go along with the food are a wide variety of beers to wash it down with.

Beers to try here are overwhelming with a variety of styles, but there are a few I will always recommend. Compa might seem like any traditional lager, but until you try it you don’t realize how much flavor blue corn adds. This lager is easy drinking, but has a rich malt flavor, and a slight nutty flavor from the blue corn. Esmerelda is another lager that has a surprising flavor. This Italian pilsner is crisp, refreshing, and has a nice, but unexpected hop bite that adds complexity. In a world occupied by hazy IPAs Skull Bucket is a refreshing take on a traditional IPA. It’s not west coast, but New Mexican, either way it has a great malty flavor with citrusy hop notes that make it very refreshing.

For fans of darker beers, the rotating stouts are always full of roasted flavor. In the winter Brickie is a great beer to warm anyone up on the coldest of nights. When it’s available on the nitro tap the Blue Bullet Stout is a must try. Last is for fans of the sours the Dynamite series is always a hit. With a constant rotation of fruit going into this sour the end result is always tart and refreshing. I prefer the blackberry, but the raspberry is also a can’t miss.

With so many breweries throughout the state finding a good one to appease a large crowd can be a challenge. Well Steel Bender is worth the visit. The styles of beer and food are endless. The staff is friendly, and the whole experience is always positive. When it comes to the community and supporting local Steel Bender should be on your New Mexico brewery list. Cheers!

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